Fava Bean
* Calorie value is measured per serving weight shown
Nutrition (per 100g)
Common Serving Sizes
How long to burn 341 kcal
Approximate exercise time to burn the 341 kcal in each 100g:
About Fava Bean
A legume staple high in both protein and carbs; spring fresh fava beans are a seasonal treat.
Health Benefits of Fava Bean
Dried vs fresh fava beans
Dried fava beans have ~25.4g protein and 56.2g carbs per 100g - a classic high-protein legume. Spring fresh ones are ~70% water, only ~110 kcal/100g, tender and sweet. Soak dried beans 6-8h, then cook in congee, soups or five-spice style.
A distinctive nutrient
Fava beans are among the few foods with L-DOPA - one reason they're discussed in some cultures. They're also high in folate and manganese (folate supports cell division and DNA; manganese, bone development and carb metabolism). People with favism (G6PD deficiency) must avoid them.
Seasonal spring treat
April-May is peak fresh-fava season, when pods are plump, skins thin and flesh tender. Jiangnan custom 'eat fava beans at lixia (start of summer)'; scallion-oil fava is the signature - stir-fried with scallions and a little sugar until the skins wrinkle, waxy-sweet. Lanhua (blossom) beans are the fried dried-snack version.